Nothin' But a Good Time
80s Rock/Hair/Metal and MTB Series: Installment #5
There’s no argument against the fact that hair/metal/rock of the 1980s was mostly about sex/drugs/rock-n-roll, let’s party, party, party. Amidst that, not to forget, sexism was rampant throughout the industry scene. If the 80s were about hedonism and if hair bands were part of that, which they were, then perhaps Poison was the “spokesperson.” They exploded onto the scene in their makeup and teased hair, with lots of pink and fluorescent green front and center. Fun was what they were about, I think is fair to say. All the way from Mechanicsburg, PA to West Hollywood, the glam slam boys were at the top in the late 80s.
Did you know that lead singer Brett Michaels was/is a mountain biker?
He is a Type 1 diabetic and mountain biking is/was part of his regimen to manage his diabetes. You can find mentions here and there on the webs and if you sleuth around, there’s a photo online of his Diamondback with bar ends and probably something like 1.95 “fat” tires of the day. He’s also a dirt bike enthusiast. Vroooooooom.
Let’s get to some music and somehow connect it to mountain biking, beyond that Brett is/was a mountain biker.
First up is Cry Tough from their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In:
Video here Poison - Cry Tough - YouTube
It’s a song that sounds good. Cry Tough? Hopes and dreams? I mean, in some ways, this is the early days of mountain biking and working to attain access to trails and to the decision-making table. There’s a lyric in there that says: life ain’t no easy ride. There we go — ride. Ride a bike. Sometimes it ain’t easy, unless it’s perfectly sculpted flow trails that are like dirt sidewalks.
Next up, their mega hit from their follow-up Open Up and Say…Ahh album:
Video here Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time - YouTube
Hopefully, most of the time we’re on our bikes we are having a good time. Sometimes, though, we crash and burn. We bonk. Weather moves in and spoils the fun. Pretty straight forward on this one. Go have fun on your bike this weekend.
Finally, from their third album Flesh and Blook is Ride the Wind:
Video here Ride The Wind - Poison - Swallow (Best audio) - YouTube
This is literally about being on a bike, probably a motorbike and not a mountain bike, but we can make it work. Wind in the hair kind of thing, it is. Helmets might get in the way of that feeling. For e-bikers, with their motors, it’s easier to relate. Vroooom!
There it is, the latest installment of the 80s Rock/Hair/Metal and MTB Series. As May closes and June comes into view, summer is comin’ and it’s time to ride more often and into the long light of the evening.
Go Ride the Wind this weekend and have Nothin’ But a Good Time, but if it hurts along the way, be sure to Cry Tough.
Cheers, everyone!
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